Intimate Details

Intimate Details - Finale

Rarity sighed as she pulled yet another folder from her commission bin. The store was eerily quiet this time of night, but she honestly didn't mind. It helped her think without interference. Amethyst was gone, the neighboring businesses had closed, and her own blinds were drawn. Not even the late-summer evening sun penetrated into her candlelit haven. Flipping the cover of the folder open, Rarity glanced over the insignificant details. Payment, name, all the things that didn't matter. She instead turned her attention to the second page, the overlay of the dress.

"Hmm." She nodded in approval. Whoever ordered this commission knew fashion. Already, she was admiring the smaller details they had specified, and found little error. In fact, there wasn't anything about this dress she would have changed. It was commissions like these that made Rarity's day. She slipped it in front of the three other folders in her 'to-do' bin and stretched. Four dresses tomorrow, with plenty more commissions to follow. She'd have a long day ahead of her. But after that, it was the weekend. A faint blush crept up her cheeks as she remembered Octavia's promise, and the other important thing they had planned. Slowly, Rarity slipped out of her chair and blew the solitary candle out. She glided through the store in utter darkness, hooking her purse through her arm before opening the front door.

The sun was setting off to her right, framing the Canterlot skyline almost perfectly. She took a moment to admire the beautiful buildings and the rich colors in the sky before locking her boutique and starting for her car. The drive home was uneventful, but her arrival was another matter altogether.

"Welcome home, love." Octavia's sultry voice froze Rarity at the door. If not that, then what she was wearing.

"Tavi, is that-"

"Why, I do believe it is..." Octavia grinned, opening her arms and legs just a little so Rarity could see the rest of the outfit. "I know you said I was supposed to save it until the weekend. I'm terribly sorry. Please don't... Punish me?" The clothes, if they could be called that, had been fashioned by Rarity six weeks ago. She had almost forgotten about them, and the promise she made Octavia make to not wear it until that weekend. As the memories came back, they returned with a fresh wave of blood to her extremities. The piece was complex, intricate, and exceedingly difficult to get into. But Rarity had designed it so Octavia could manage on her own. In fact, the whole purpose was for Rarity to not see it until Octavia had donned the contraption.

It was mostly latex. Octavia had discovered a penchant for the restrictive material during one particularly wild weekend, and hadn't shaken her addiction. The panties were very nearly swallowed among the firm recesses of Octavia's hips and thighs. Normally, she didn't suffer any spillage or rollover with regular underwear. Despite her well-endowed lower half, she kept the flesh firm and taut. But the latex panties were so restrictive, they cut into her skin and made the firm, smooth flesh bulge over the hem. This was all the more accentuated by the firm pair of garters she wore, supporting a very revealing pair of black hose. The top was pieced together with lengths of intertwining latex bands, all affixed to a central chestpiece that cupped Octavia's breasts and ribcage tighter than any bra ever would. Her shoulders were bare, but the top was supported by a leather choker, complete with a thick steel ring that hung in the hollow of Octavia's throat. The whole thing was black, shiny, and as Octavia took a few short steps forward, made an almost obscene, squeaky sound.

And heavens be damned if it didn't make Rarity dripping wet.

"I think..." Rarity panted, working her lips. "You deserve to be punished. Naughty little thing."

"Oh no, mistress, I don't think I could handle it! Please, don't spank me! I would just die from embarrassment!" Octavia feigned shock, but Rarity could see right through her pleas. Rarity's purse hit the floor and she slowly walked around Octavia in a circle.

"No, no, my dear Octavia," Rarity mused, running her fingertips over the rubbery latex corset. "I wouldn't dare spank you. Why, that'd put a mark on your flawless ass... No, I have something much worse in mind for you."

"Oh please, Mistress Rarity," Octavia whimpered. "Please be merciful. I only meant to please you."

"Oh you'll please me, alright." Rarity came back around Octavia's front. "Whether you like it or not." Her finger hooked the steel loop, and she gave Octavia the most devious, evil-looking grin she could muster. With an insistent pull, she tugged Octavia down the hall to their bedroom.

Afterwards, when Octavia had been relieved of the restrictive latex, they lay in each other's arms, sweaty, covered with lotion and other unmentionable fluids, and feeling absolutely exhausted. Octavia nuzzled into Rarity's bare breast while the dressmaker gently combed her fingers through the cellist's hair. In light of the rough-and-tumble experience they had just shared, both of them were in the mood for a little intimacy. They stayed like that for a while before Octavia propped her chin on Rarity's collarbone and kissed her cheek.

"Did you have a good day at work?"

"Hmm. Yes, I did." Rarity smiled and captured Octavia's lips for a brief moment. "What about you? How was practice?"

"I think we'll be prepared by next week. The woodwinds have been bothering our director; he says they're out-of-sync with the rest of the orchestra. Of course, he has strings between them and percussion, so I can't blame them."

"Hmm. I'm excited for this year's performance. Last year was incredible."

"Thanks to you." Octavia teased. Rarity had designed the entire symphony's dresses and tuxedos last year and the year before. While they weren't exactly the headline of Canterlot's symphony, they had been the center of some very choice gossip for a long while. Rarity had the honor of doing the same this year. It seemed she had been somewhat ushered in as the official seamstress for the Royal Canterlot Symphony. That, coupled with her regular commission work had given Rarity all of the career stability she could ever have wanted. Not to mention fame. Using her work with the symphony for publicity, Rarity had soon become a cutting-edge dress designer, whose name was sought by people all across Equestria.

"Hmm... Are you ready for this weekend?" Rarity asked, closing her eyes as she continued to run her fingers through Octavia's hair.

"I am... But is Sweetie Belle?"

"I'd hope so." Rarity smiled warmly. "She's graduating."

"Rarity! Tavi!" Sweetie Belle's slender arm shot up over the head of the crowd, waving them down. Rarity tapped Octavia's shoulder and guided her wife towards the slender young woman. Rarity couldn't help but grin as she saw Sweetie Belle emerge from the crowd, wearing a long blue gown with a square cap of the same shiny blue material. Tacky as it was, the feeling was nostalgic. This was no regular high school graduation, though. Sweetie Belle was one of sixteen graduating today. Out of a class of well over two hundred. The rest had dropped out. But Sweetie Belle had persevered. Not just that, she had excelled. Bubbling, Rarity and Octavia wrapped Sweetie Belle in a firm hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Sweetie Belle." Rarity fought to keep the tears of pride from welling over her already-swollen eyes. She failed, and she knew her makeup would streak. She didn't care. A ruined face was a small price to pay for the honor of being present that day.

"I owe it all to you and Tavi." Sweetie Belle blushed, obviously uncomfortable at the sight of Rarity crying over her. "If it weren't for the money, I'd have failed a long time ago. To say nothing of all the support you've given me. Thank you Rarity. Octavia. I owe it all to you two."

"You're going to make me cry." Octavia dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. Rarity took her hand, twining their fingers together. "Now go. I think it's starting soon."

"I'll see you after." Sweetie Belle beamed, giving both of them another quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. She dashed off, the tassel on her cap flipping about as she disappeared behind the stage. The graduation ceremony was taking place on Canterlot's palace grounds, amid the hedge mazes, statues, and gardens. A low stage had been thrown up and draped with the same blue satin that made up the gowns the graduates were wearing. A podium stood in the middle of the stage, ringed by chairs that would hold Equestria's most influential mages, and all three princesses themselves. Rarity and Octavia were given seats in the front row as Sweetie Belle's family. A hush descended over the crowd as the princesses began crossing the lawn, in the company of six other mages. The sixteen graduates lined up at the left of the stage as the processions mounted the blue satin platform. Princess Celestia approached the podium with a warm smile on her face as everyone else took seats behind her. She let the silence stretch on before speaking.

"The study of magic is not only arduous, but complex and confusing. To those who wish to devote their lives to the mystic arts, there is much pain and confusion in their future. Magic is, itself, ever-changing and transient. No one mage is a master in their school. No magician will ever cast the same spell twice. It is a hard life, filled with pain, despair, and conflict in equal measure." Celestia's tone was sobering. Rarity found her smile disappearing, replaced instead by a somber look. That all changed as Celestia turned to the graduates.

"But it is not a life without reward. Magic is the very power of creation, of love and friendship and happiness. There are more primal and darker magics, to be sure, but I can say this with certainty and pride: I have never fostered a more skilled group of magi." Everyone in the audience was smiling now. Even the graduates. Rarity knew from her interactions with Sweetie Belle that the lessons were hard. Sometimes even dangerous. But she had persevered and made it through. Sweetie Belle had earned her spot among those eighteen magi. Rarity couldn't have been prouder.

"It is both my honor and privilege to present you the graduating class of the Canterlot Magic University." Celestia's hands glowed, and a basket of rolled scrolls appeared on the podium. She gracefully withdrew the first, opened it, and read the name alongside a list of achievements and accolades. She did the same for everyone, until Sweetie Belle's turn. When Celestia pulled her scroll out of the basket, she gave pause. "This student..." Celestia said quietly, looking up at the audience. "Is a bit of a special case. This is a departure from tradition, but let me take a moment." Rarity and Octavia shared a look before joining hands.

"Studying at this university is difficult to say the least. For some, it becomes impossible. For others, the difficulty is too much and they crack under the pressure. The work load and complexity of the courses these students take is considerable. That's why this student stands out among the rest. Personal struggles are never easy to deal with, particularly when they involve your only family. Any lesser student would have abandoned their studies in favor of assisting family. This student, rather than leaving the university or worse; forsaking their family, they persevered and handled both." Celestia beamed as she opened the scroll.

"With great pleasure, I present this year's Valedictorian. Master of Vocals, Whisperer of Shadow, Lightbender, Transumtations Savant, Peer Leader, Potions Master, and She of Many Tongues. Please, give a round of applause for Sweetie Belle!"

Rarity and Octavia cheered the loudest out of anyone there. Sweetie Belle never looked so radiant as she did accepting the scroll from Celestia. Tears coursed from her eyes fast and free.

'Proud' didn't do what Rarity felt justice.

Afterwards, during the reception, Rarity and Octavia were greeted with joyous tears and a tight hug. Sweetie Belle was beside herself, and she had every right to be. Rarity and Octavia congratulated her over and again. She accepted the praise gracefully, blushing and waving it off. They talked for a long while about all the things Sweetie Belle had studied, There was even a point when Rarity and Octavia were graced by the three Princesses, who swept upon Sweetie Belle to offer her their official praise. Princess Cadance even offered her a position of major influence in the Crystal Kingdom. Princess Luna said she could have used a mage of Sweetie Belle's talent in her own repertoire, and Celestia hinted at an open position on her own council with her name on it should she want it. Sweetie Belle graciously accepted the offers, and told each princess she would seriously consider them all. Rarity could see the way she brightened at the mention of living in the Crystal Kingdom.

When the princesses left Sweetie Belle with her friends and family, Octavia pulled her aside. Rarity couldn't hear what they were talking about, but she knew what was happening. Octavia smiled and handed a card off to her before the two of them re-joined the crowd. Sweetie Belle was the center of attention, and after all the job offers and praise she had had, Rarity saw fit to leave her be. She took Octavia's hand in hers as they watched Sweetie Belle smile, laugh, and chat with her friends and colleagues. A touch to her arm made her whirl.

"Scootaloo." She breathed. The avian woman blushed and shied away a little with a cautious glance towards Sweetie.

"I just came to congratulate her." She muttered meekly. Rarity looked between the two of them. She knew there had been some animosity, but that was almost two years ago, back when she and Octavia were first wed. Last she heard, Scootaloo had fled to Manehattan. Still, seeing her here brought a smile to Rarity's lips.

"I think you ought to do more than congratulate her." With a firm touch, Rarity took her arm and pulled Scootaloo into the light. She resisted at first, but as soon as Sweetie Belle saw Rarity and her charge, Scootaloo slumped and meekly went along. The crowd around the valedictorian mage parted. When Rarity released Scootaloo in front of her ex-lover and old friend, she delivered her into a stinging slap.

The hall seemed to resound with the smart sounding-blow. Scootaloo cupped her cheek in shock, looking at Sweetie Belle with wide, teary eyes.

Right before Sweetie Belle kissed her.

"It's good that they made up." Octavia mused, pulling her shirt over her head. Rarity leaned out of the bathroom, her floss still stuck between her teeth.

"Agreeh." She muttered. Octavia grinned and stepped out of her pants.

"In all seriousness, she needs someone. I mean, those things Celestia said... Is she really, you know, 'master of shadows' or whatever?"

"It's basically titles." Rarity smacked her lips as she pulled the floss free. "Think of it as certification in a certain field of magic. Saying that just means Sweetie Belle is an expert at shadow magic. It's to be expected of the university, though. Their students are the best in Equestria."

"Master of Vocals, though... I knew she was an incredible singer, but how would you even use magic with your voice? It’s mind-boggling."

"You offered her a place with the orchestra, didn't you?" Rarity asked, taking a mouthful of water to rinse. Octavia stretched with a groan.

"Yeah. The director wanted to try his hand at an opera, and given Sweetie's talent, I nominated her for the position. I think we could put on a good show if she sang for us."

"Ptoo. She certainly wants to. She's here almost every weekend to practice with you." Rarity wiped her mouth and padded across the threshold of the bedroom, wrapping her arms around Octavia from behind. She buried her face into the brilliant, soft mane of black hair and kissed her wife's neck. "I think she'd be happy to help the orchestra. She certainly seems to love singing with you.”

“Hmm. I hope the director accepts her. She did graduate as valedictorian.” Octavia turned in Rarity’s arms, pressing their lips together firmly. “Hmm. I love you, Rarity.” She said quietly, hardly more than a whisper. Rarity smiled and rested her forehead against Octavia’s.

“I love you too, Octavia.” It was moments like this Rarity was acutely aware of the ring on her finger, and the promise behind it. Two rings, two lives, one love. An infinite loop. They stayed like that for a long while, simply enjoying one another’s presence. After a short while, they stretched out and went to sleep. Rarity did not dream; indeed, she hadn’t in the past two years. Her nights were peaceful, warm, and restful. Gone were the days she would wake in a cold sweat, alone and shivering. Should some wayward noise stir her from rest, she would always have Octavia at her side. And she was there for Octavia as well.

Neither of them might be the most stable personalities in the world. Not with the things they had endured. Octavia was still scared of bruises, and Rarity occasionally found herself worrying about Octavia cheating. Her doubts were always laid to rest, but she still had them. She was only a magi, after all. She was prone to worrying. Sometimes Octavia would be her support, and others the cellist seemed to be every bit as lost as Rarity herself. Still, lost as they were, they were lost together. Rarity slipped off to sleep with a smile on her lips.

She woke to Octavia’s kiss and a teasing smile. Rarity opened sleep-laden eyes and saw Octavia’s beautiful face, her almond eyes.

“Good morning, Octavia.”

“Happy anniversary.”

“Wha-AHN!”